In a scathing critique of today’s tennis landscape, former world No. 17 Bernard Tomic has ignited controversy by comparing the current generation of players to the formidable old guard of the sport. Tomic, who reached his career-high ranking in early 2016, asserts that the competition during his peak was far more intense and challenging than what the current players face.
During an appearance on the Australian podcast The Changeover, Tomic lauded the physicality and skill of today’s top players, singling out rising stars like Jannik Sinner and Jakub Mensik for their exceptional talent. However, he contends that the current crop of players still falls short of the caliber set by tennis icons like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Reflecting on his own career, Tomic reminisced about facing off against legends such as Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Murray, Berdych, and Del Potro, emphasizing the fierce competition that characterized that era. While acknowledging that he did not achieve Slam success, Tomic believes he competed in the most challenging period in tennis history.
Tomic criticized the current top ten players, suggesting that they would struggle against past greats like Berdych and Del Potro. He expressed doubt that the current players could match up well against the formidable opponents he encountered in his prime, insinuating that his own career trajectory may have been altered if he had not competed during such a formidable era.
The controversial remarks made by Tomic have sparked a debate within the tennis community, with fans and analysts weighing in on the validity of his claims. As the sport continues to evolve, Tomic’s comments serve as a stark reminder of the fierce competition and legendary rivalries that have shaped tennis into the global spectacle it is today.